Looking back at this year’s session of Congress, Senator Bernie Sanders counted many successes despite unprecedented obstruction tactics by Republicans. “In my view, Americans very much want to change the priorities that President Bush has established and move this country in a very different direction,” Sanders said. “In the face of a record number of Republican filibusters and strong opposition from the White House, we certainly have not accomplished everything that I wanted, but we have made some real progress in significantly increasing funding for our veterans, in raising the minimum wage, in making college education more affordable and for beginning to transform our energy system away from fossil fuels to energy efficiency and sustainable energy.”

A Senate record for filibusters was set this week. During the past year there were 62 cloture votes, attempts to cut off debate so the Senate could vote on legislation. The previous record of 61 was set in 2002, at the end of an entire two-year session of Congress. That was the last time Republicans were in the minority in the Senate.

Republicans broke the record on a vote to pass a spending bill without Iraq funding. Here is the complete list of the record-setting 62 votes on cloture, 31 of which were rejected, including 17 that garnered 50 or more yes votes:

1. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Reid Amendment to the Ethics and Lobbying Bill. Reid, D-Nev., motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid amendment no. 4 to the Reid substitute amendment no. 3. The Reid amendment would bar members of Congress from flying on private planes without paying full market price for the trip and bar them from receiving gifts from organizations or companies that hire lobbyists. The substitute amendment would overhaul congressional lobbying and ethics rules for senators and their staffs and restrict the use of and expand the definition of earmarks. It would prohibit senators and staff from accepting gifts and free meals, extend the time period before former senators can become lobbyists, prohibit lobbyist-funded travel and require trips funded by other private entities to be vetted by the Select Ethics Committee. Motion agreed to 95-2: R 47-1; D 46-1; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #12, S 1, 1/16/07]

2. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Reid Amendment to the Ethics and Lobbying Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., substitute amendment no. 3 that would overhaul congressional lobbying and ethics rules for senators and their staffs and restrict the use of and expand the definition of earmarks. It would prohibit senators and staff from accepting gifts and free meals, extend the time period before former senators can become lobbyists, prohibit lobbyist-funded travel and require trips funded by other private entities to be vetted by the Select Ethics Committee. Motion rejected 51-46: R 2-45; D 47-1; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #16, S 1, 1/17/07]

3. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Gregg Amendment to the Minimum Wage Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Gregg, R-N.H., amendment no. 101 to the Baucus, D-Mont., substitute amendment. The Gregg amendment would provide for expedited consideration of up to four presidential rescission packages a year. The substitute would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provide $8.3 billion in small-business tax incentives. The tax provisions would be offset with revenue increases, including a $1 million cap on the amount of executive compensation that can be tax-deferred in any year and an extension of backward restrictions on certain sale-in-lease out deals. Motion rejected 49-48: R 47-1; D 1-46; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #22, HR 2, 1/24/07]

4. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Minimum Wage Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would increase the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years. Motion rejected 54-43: R 5-43; D 47-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #23, HR 2, 1/24/07]

5. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Baucus Amendment to the Minimum Wage Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Baucus, D-Mont., substitute amendment no. 100 that would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provide $8.3 billion in small-business tax incentives. The tax provisions would be offset with revenue increases, including a $1 million cap on the amount of executive compensation that can be tax-deferred in any year and an extension of backward restrictions on certain sale-in-lease-out deals. Motion agreed to 87-10: R 38-10; D 47-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #34, HR 2, 1/30/07]

6. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Minimum Wage Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provide $8.3 billion in small-business tax incentives, offset by certain revenue increases, including a $1 million cap on the amount of executive compensation that can be tax-deferred in any year and an extension of backward restrictions on certain sale-in-lease-out deals. Motion agreed to 88-8: R 39-8; D 47-0l; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #39, HR 2, 1/31/07]

7. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on a Concurrent Resolution Expressing the Bipartisan Resolution on Iraq Troop Levels. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to a concurrent resolution that would express the sense of the Congress that it is not in U.S. interest to deepen the country’s military involvement in Iraq by increasing U.S. troops levels there. Motion rejected 0-97: R 0-48; D 0-47; I 0-2. [Senate Vote #43, S Con Res 2, 2/1/07]

8. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on a Bill Opposing an Increase in Iraq Troop Levels. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would express the sense of Congress opposing an increase in U.S. troop levels in Iraq and state that Congress should not withhold funds for U.S. forces already serving there. Motion rejected 49-47: R 2-45; D 46-1; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #44, S 470, 2/5/07]

9. The Senate Invoked Cloture on a Joint Resolution for Continuing Appropriations. H J Res 20 Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the joint resolution that would provide $463.5 billion in continuing appropriations through Sept. 30, 2007, for all federal departments and agencies for which fiscal 2007 appropriations bills have not been enacted. Motion agreed to 71-26: R 23-25; D 46-1; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #46, H J Res 20, 2/13/07]

10. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on a Bill Disapproving of the Surge. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would express the sense of Congress supporting U.S. military serving in Iraq, while disapproving of President Bush’s decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to that country. It also would require the president to submit a report to Congress every 30 days on military progress in Iraq. Motion rejected 56-34: R 7-33; D 48-0; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #51, S 574, 2/17/07]

11. The Senate Invoked Cloture on Bill Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would implement remaining recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission, authorize more than $3 billion a year for three years for state and local homeland security grants, and increase the sharing of intelligence and information within the federal, state and local governments. Motion agreed to 97-0: R 49-0; D 46-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #53, S 4, 2/27/07]

12. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on Cornyn Amendment to a Bill Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Cornyn, R-Texas, amendment no. 312 to the Reid, D-Nev., substitute amendment no. 275. The Cornyn amendment would criminalize the recruitment of terrorists and the financial support for families of terrorists, expand the time frame that the Homeland Security Department can detain certain illegal immigrants, allow for the deportation of suspected terrorists whose visas are revoked and increase penalties for phone calls to service members’ families falsely claiming the family member has been killed. The substitute would implement remaining recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission and aviation security screening measures; and authorize more than $4 billion for rail and mass transit security, $3.1 billion for homeland security grant programs, and $3.3 billion for a new emergency grant program to improve communications among first-responders. Motion rejected 46-49: R 45-1; D 1-46; I 0-2. [Senate Vote #68, S 4, 3/9/07]

13. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Reid Amendment to a Bill Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., substitute amendment no. 275 that would implement remaining recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission and aviation security screening measures; and authorize more than $4 billion for rail and mass transit security, $3.1 billion for homeland security grant programs and $3.3 billion for a new emergency grant program to improve communications among first-responders. Motion agreed to 69-26: R 20-26; D 47-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #69, S 4, 3/9/07]

14. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Joint Resolution of Iraq Troop Withdrawal. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution that would establish a more limited mission for U.S. forces in Iraq and set a non-binding goal of withdrawing most combat troops by March 2008. Motion agreed to 89-9: R 40-9; D 47-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #74, S J Res 9, 3/14/07]

15. The Senate Invoked Cloture on Iraq/Katrina Supplemental Appropriations Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would appropriate approximately $121.7 billion in emergency funding for fiscal 2007, including $96 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, $4.2 billion for agriculture disaster aid and $3.1 billion for military base realignment and closure. It would require the withdrawal of most U.S. troops in Iraq by 2008. Motion agreed to 97-0: R 47-0; D 48-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #117, HR 1591, 3/28/07]

16. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Intelligence Authorization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would authorize classified amounts in fiscal 2007 for U.S. intelligence activities and agencies including the CIA, the National Security Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Motion agreed to 94-3: R 46-3; D 46-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #129, S 372, 4/12/07]

17. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Intelligence Authorization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would authorize classified amounts in fiscal 2007 for U.S. intelligence activities and agencies including the CIA, the National Security Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Motion rejected 41-40: R 0-39; D 39-1; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #130, S 372, 4/16/07]

18. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Intelligence Authorization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would authorize classified amounts in fiscal 2007 for U.S. intelligence activities and agencies including the CIA, the National Security Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Motion rejected 50-45: R 2-45; D 46-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #131, S 372, 4/17/07]

19. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Prescription Drug Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would allow the Health and Human Services Department to negotiate with drug companies the prices of drugs covered under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Motion rejected 55-42: R 6-41; D 47-1; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #132, S 3, 4/18/07]

20. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Court Security Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would expand the current ban on firearms in federal courthouses to include “other dangerous weapons” and broaden the court system authority to remove some information from public financial disclosure reports from judges. Motion agreed to 93-3: R 44-3; D 47-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #133, S 378, 4/18/07]

21. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Dorgan Amendment to the FDA Revitalization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Dorgan, D-N.D., amendment no. 990 that would allow the importation of drugs if imported by a registered importer or by an individual for personal use from a registered exporter from Canada, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan, and other countries designated by the Health and Human Services secretary if such importation does not adversely affect public health. Motion agreed to 63-28: R 16-28; D 45-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #150, S 1082, 5/3/07]

22. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Kennedy Amendment to the FDA Revitalization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Kennedy, D-Mass., substitute amendment that would overhaul the Food and Drug Administration and reauthorize FDA drugmaker fees for expedited review of new pharmaceutical products. It also would create a drug surveillance system to track problems with drugs once they are in the open market and impose new limits on certain consumer advertisements for prescription drugs. Motion agreed to 82-8: R 40-4; D 41-3; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #152, S 1082, 5/7/07]

23. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Water Resources Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would authorize roughly $14 billion for Army Corps of Engineers water resources development projects.
Motion agreed to 89-7: R 40-7; D 47-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #162, HR 1495, 5/10/07]

24. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Feingold Amendment to the Water Resources Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Feingold, D-Wis., amendment no. 1098 to the Levin, D-Mich., amendment no. 1097. The Feingold amendment would require the withdrawal U.S. troops from Iraq except for limited missions by March 31, 2008. The Levin amendment would commence redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq by October 1, 2007, and require full withdrawal within 180 days, but allow the president to waive the second requirement. Motion rejected 29-67: R 0-47; D 28-19; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #167, HR 1495, 5/16/07]

25. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Warner Amendment to the Water Resources Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Warner, R-Va., amendment no. 1134 that would require the president to withhold funding for military operations in Iraq if the Iraqi government fails to meet certain benchmarks. The president could waive the requirement if he submits in writing to Congress a justification for the waiver. Motion rejected 52-44: R 44-3; D 7-40; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #168, HR 1495, 5/16/07]

26. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Cochran Amendment to the Water Resources Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Cochran, R-Miss., amendment no. 1035 that would express the sense of the Senate that Congress should send a supplemental spending bill for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to the president by May 28, 2007. Motion agreed to 87-9: R 47-0; D 39-8; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #169, HR 1495, 5/16/07]

27. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Reid Amendment to the Iraq/Katrina Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., substitute amendment that would express the sense of Congress that Congress should take no action to endanger U.S. forces currently deployed in Iraq or elsewhere; that the president and Congress have an obligation to provide adequate medical care for soldiers who have returned home; and that the president and Congress should assess and adjust policy and funding to ensure the best chance of success of the U.S. military mission in Iraq. Motion agreed to 94-1: R 45-0; D 47-1; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #171, HR 2206, 5/17/07]

28. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Immigration Reform Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration policies and offer a path to citizenship for most illegal immigrants in the country. Motion agreed to 69-23: R 30-18; D 38-4; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #173, S 1348, 5/21/07]

29. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Kennedy Amendment to the Immigration Reform Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Kennedy, D-Mass., substitute amendment no. 1150, as amended, that would overhaul U.S. immigration policies and institute new border security measures, including an electronic verification system. It would allocate some green cards on a merit-based system based on certain criteria, including a high-demand occupation, proficiency in English and higher education degrees. Half of the green cards would be allocated based on family relations. It also would provide for a temporary guest worker program that would allow workers to remain in the United States for up to six years, provided that they return to their home country for a year after every two years they remain in the United States. (At the conclusion of the vote, Reid, D-Nev., entered a motion to reconsider the vote, to be voted on at a later time.) Motion rejected 33-63: R 0-47; D 32-15; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #203, S 1348, 6/7/07]

30. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Immigration Reform Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration policies and offer a path to citizenship for most illegal immigrants in the country. Motion rejected 34-61: R 0-47; D 33-13; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #204, S 1348, 6/7/07]

31. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Kennedy Amendment to the Immigration Reform Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Kennedy, D-Mass., substitute amendment no. 1150, as amended, that would overhaul U.S. immigration policies and institute new border security measures, including an electronic verification system. It would allocate some green cards on a merit-based system based on certain criteria, including a high-demand occupation, proficiency in English and higher education degrees. Half of the green cards would be allocated based on family relations. It also would provide for a temporary guest worker program that would allow workers to remain in the United States for up to six years, provided that they return to their home country for a year after every two years they remain in the United States. Motion rejected 45-50: R 7-38; D 37-11; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #206, S 1348, 6/7/07]

32. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Joint Resolution Expressing a Lack of Confidence in the Attorney General. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution that would express the sense of the Senate that Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales no longer holds the confidence of the Senate and the American people. Motion rejected 53-38: R 7-37; D 45-0; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #207, S J Res 14, 6/11/07]

33. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the CLEAN Energy Act. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would limit tax benefits and require royalty payments from certain oil and gas companies. The resulting revenue would be deposited into a new renewable energy account that could be used to offset the cost of research into alternative energy sources and conservation measures contained in future legislation. Motion agreed to 91-0: R 45-0; D 44-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #208, HR 6, 6/11/07]

34. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Baucus Amendment to the CLEAN Energy Act. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Baucus, D-Mont., amendment no. 1704 to the Reid substitute amendment no. 1502. The Baucus amendment would establish $32.1 billion of tax incentives for alternative energy sources while imposing taxes on the oil and gas industry. It would create $3.6 billion worth of renewable energy bonds, establish $11 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy and authorize $2.5 billion for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act. The substitute would overhaul national energy policies including requiring the annual use of 15 billion gallons of biofuels by 2015, increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 and making petroleum price gouging a federal crime in a “national energy emergency.” It would also encourage carbon sequestration research, require the federal government to purchase 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015 and direct the State Department to pursue strategic partnerships with major energy-consuming and energy-producing nations. Motion rejected 57-36: R 10-34; D 45-2; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #223, HR 6, 6/21/07]

35. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Reid Amendment to the CLEAN Energy Act. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., substitute amendment no. 1502 that would overhaul national energy policies including requiring the annual use of 15 billion gallons of biofuels by 2015, increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 and making petroleum price gouging a federal crime in a “national energy emergency.” It would also encourage carbon sequestration research, require the federal government to purchase 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015 and direct the State Department to pursue strategic partnerships with major energy-consuming and energy-producing nations. Motion agreed to 61-32: R 17-27; D 42-5; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #224, HR 6, 6/21/07]

36. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the CLEAN Energy Act. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would overhaul national energy policies and increase the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
Motion agreed to 62-32: R 19-26; D 41-6; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #225, HR 6, 6/21/07]

37. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Employee Free Choice Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would allow union organizers to bypass secret-ballot elections if they can gather a majority of eligible employees’ signatures on a petition in support of union formation. Motion rejected 51-48: R 1-48; D 48-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #227, HR 800, 6/26/07]

38. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration policies, provide for a temporary guest worker program and institute new border security measures, including an electronic verification system. Motion agreed to 64-35: R 24-25; D 39-9; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #228, S 1639, 6/26/07]

39. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration policies, provide for a temporary guest worker program and institute new border security measures, including an electronic verification system. Motion rejected 46-53: R 12-37; D 33-15; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #235, S 1639, 6/28/07]

40. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Webb Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Webb, D-Va., amendment no. 2012 to the Levin, D-Mich., substitute amendment no. 2011. The Webb amendment would mandate minimum intervals between deployments for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It would require active duty forces to be guaranteed as much time at home as they served while deployed. National Guard and reservists would be guaranteed three years at home between deployments. The substitute would authorize $648.3 billion for defense programs in fiscal 2008, including $127.5 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also would authorize $143.5 billion for operations and maintenance; $109.9 billion for procurement; $122.9 billion for military personnel and $74.7 billion for research development, testing and evaluation. Motion rejected 56-41: R 7-40; D 48-0; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #241, HR 1585, 7/11/07]

41. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Levin Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Levin, D-Mich., amendment no. 2087 to the Levin substitute amendment no. 2011. The Levin amendment would mandate a drawdown and redeployment of U.S. forces in Iraq, with certain exceptions, by the end of April 2008. Redeployment would begin within 120 days of enactment. Troop activity in Iraq would be limited to protecting U.S. personnel, training Iraqi security forces and conducting counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations. The substitute would authorize $648.3 billion for defense programs in fiscal 2008, including $127.5 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also would authorize $143.5 billion for operations and maintenance; $109.9 billion for procurement; $122.9 billion for military personnel and $74.7 billion for research development, testing and evaluation. Motion rejected 52-47: R 4-45; D 47-1; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #252, HR 1585, 7/18/07]

42. The Senate Invoked Cloture on SCHIP. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would provide $1.3 billion in tax breaks for small businesses. Motion agreed to 80-0: R 37-0; D 41-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #285, HR 976, 7/30/07]

43. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Ethics and Lobbying Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to concur in the House amendment to the bill that would overhaul congressional lobbying and ethics rules for members and their staffs and require the disclosure of “bundled” campaign contributions that exceed $15,000 in a six-month period. It would require quarterly disclosure reports on lobbying activities and deny congressional pensions to members convicted of certain felonies committed after the date of enactment. Motion agreed to 80-17: R 31-17; D 47-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #293, S 1, 8/2/07]

44. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the D.C. Voting Rights Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would increase the membership of the House of Representatives to 437, by granting a seat to the District of Columbia and an additional seat to Utah. Motion rejected 57-42: R 8-41; D 47-1; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #339, S 1257, 9/18/07]

45. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the Specter Amendment (Habeas Corpus Rights) to the Defense Authorization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Specter, R-Pa., amendment no. 2022 to the Levin, D-Mich., substitute amendment no. 2011. The Specter amendment would restore habeas corpus rights to enemy combatants under U.S. detention, as well as those awaiting military reviews that will determine their legal status. The substitute would authorize $648.3 billion for defense programs in fiscal 2008, including $127.5 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also would authorize $143.5 billion for operations and maintenance; $109.9 billion for procurement; $122.9 billion for military personnel and $74.7 billion for research development, testing and evaluation. Motion rejected 56-43: R 6-42; D 49-0; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #340, HR 1585, 9/19/07]

46. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Kennedy Amendment (hate crimes) to the Defense Authorization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Kennedy, D-Mass., amendment no. 3035 to the Levin, D-Mich., substitute amendment no. 2011. The Kennedy amendment would make violent crimes that cause bodily harm based on the victim’s race, color, religion or national origin punishable by a fine and up to 10 years in prison, and punishable by a life sentence if the victim dies, is kidnapped or subjected to aggravated sexual abuse. It also would create the same penalties for crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The substitute would authorize $648.3 billion for defense programs in fiscal 2008, including $127.5 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also would authorize $143.5 billion for operations and maintenance; $109.9 billion for procurement; $122.9 billion for military personnel and $74.7 billion for research development, testing and evaluation. Motion agreed to 60-39: R 9-39; D 49-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #350, HR 1585, 9/27/97]

47. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the SCHIP bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to concur in the House amendments to the Senate amendments to the bill that would reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program at nearly $60 billion over five years, expanding the program by $35 billion. To offset the cost of the expansion, it would increase the tax on cigarettes by 61 cents to $1 per pack and raise taxes on other tobacco products. Motion agreed to 69-30: R 18-30; D 49-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #352, HR 976, 9/27/07]

48. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Levin Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Levin, D-Mich., substitute amendment no. 2011 that would authorize $648.3 billion for defense programs in fiscal 2008, including $127.5 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also would authorize $143.5 billion for operations and maintenance; $109.9 billion for procurement; $122.9 billion for military personnel and $74.7 billion for research development, testing and evaluation. Motion agreed to 89-6: R 45-2; D 43-3; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #357, HR 1585, 9/27/07]

49. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the nomination of Leslie Southwick of Mississippi to be a judge for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Motion agreed to 62-35: R 49-0; D 12-34; I 1-1. [Senate Vote #392, 10/24/07]

50. The Senate Failed to Invoke Cloture on the DREAM Act. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would allow children of illegal immigrants who entered the United States before age 16 and who have lived here at least five years to gain conditional legal status and eventual citizenship if they attend college or join the military for at least two years. Motion rejected 52-44: R 12-36; D 38-8; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #394, S 2205, 10/24/07]

51. The Senate Invoked Cloture on the Amtrak Authorization bill. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would reauthorize Amtrak at $11.4 billion over six years. Motion agreed to 79-13: R 33-13; D 44-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #398, S 294, 10/30/07]

52. The Senate Invoked Cloture on SCHIP. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program at nearly $60 billion over five years. Motion agreed to 62-33: R 15-33; D 45-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #401, HR 3963, 10/31/07]

53. The Senate Invoked Cloture on SCHIP, again. Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program at nearly $60 billion over five years. Motion agreed to 65-30: R 17-30; D 46-0; I 2-0. [Senate Vote #402, HR 3963 11/1/07]

54. The Senate Failed